Tag: 3BL

This month, 20 representatives from Entergy, alongside our invaluable community partners and customers, joined advocates in Washington, D.C. to participate in LIHEAP Action Day. This national event, organized by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, serves as a platform to engage and educate policymakers about the critical importance of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.

Throughout the day, our team engaged in meaningful discussions on Capitol Hill with key policymakers who represent our service areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Notably, our representatives had the honor of meeting with influential members of Congress, including Senator John Boozman of Arkansas, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Congressman Randy Weber of Texas. In total, Entergy visited 24 congressional offices, conveying the profound impact that LIHEAP funds have on our vulnerable customers and communities.

“LIHEAP funding is a lifeline and beacon of hope for our vulnerable customers and communities,” said Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy vice president of corporate social responsibility. “It empowers individuals and families to stay warm, safe and connected, even in the harshest circumstances. Without adequate funding, families face the impossible choice between keeping their power on and putting food on the table. Now, more than ever, securing LIHEAP funding is critical to helping our neighbors in need during times of changing climate and economic uncertainties.”

Adding an invaluable perspective to these discussions, Entergy’s LIHEAP customers also played a vital role in these discussions. They shared their personal experiences and stories with members of Congress, highlighting the crucial role that LIHEAP plays in their lives and the lives of their families. Their voices helped shine a spotlight on the pressing need for sustained and critical funding.

With a commitment to powering life for our neighbors in need, our representatives, community partners and LIHEAP customers united to spread awareness about the importance of sustaining LIHEAP. Together, we strive to ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have access to vital energy assistance programs that can make a tangible difference in their lives.

Beyond LIHEAP Action Day, Entergy hosts multiple outreach events throughout the year in close collaboration with our community partners. These events serve as platforms to increase awareness and provide valuable support to individuals navigating the LIHEAP application process. To learn more about LIHEAP and other energy assistance programs, visit entergy.com/billhelp.

More and more enterprises are rapidly adopting sustainable finance, with a demonstrated 10% growth in global markets reported in 2023. In a study by Deloitte, 90% of respondents indicated that sustainable finance is already central to almost everything they do, or it is becoming integral to much of what they do.

The purpose of this guide is to bring some clarity to the complexities of sustainable finance, so stakeholders can more readily set aligned priorities and effectively bring sustainable finance to their organizations.

What Is Sustainable Finance?

Sustainable finance supports economic growth by focusing on sustainable projects and practices using a variety of financial products like loans and investments. This practice encourages companies to attract investments based on their sustainability credentials, while also applying similar criteria when deploying their capital. This ensures that their business operations contribute positively to society and the environment.

Business Benefits of Sustainable Finance

Several advantages to sustainable finance go beyond producing dividends. Here are a few of the outcomes that contribute to a company’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Reduced cost of capital

Sustainable investments often attract a broader base of investors, including socially responsible investment funds and individuals looking for ethical investment opportunities. This increased demand for a company’s securities can lead to a lower cost of capital, as investors may be willing to accept slightly lower returns in exchange for contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes.

Companies focused on sustainability are also often seen as lower risk, as they proactively manage environmental, social, and governance issues that could potentially lead to financial liabilities or damage to their reputation. Lower perceived risk can result in lower costs for financing.

Decreased operational costs

Sustainable investments often lead to more efficient operations, particularly in terms of energy use, water consumption, and waste management. These improvements can significantly reduce operational costs over time.

Another way companies reduce operational costs is through investing in a sustainable supply chain. This can lead to more stable and resilient supplier relationships, reducing the risks and costs associated with supply chain disruptions.

Enhanced brand value

Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can strengthen a company’s brand, leading to increased customer loyalty. Customers are increasingly favoring brands that align with their values – as long as brands demonstrate that value authentically.

This improved brand image can also help attract high-quality employees. Companies known for their sustainability efforts are more attractive to top talent, particularly among younger generations who prioritize working for employers with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials.

Regulatory compliance

Sustainable investing ensures a company meets or exceeds regulatory standards, avoiding fines and sanctions related to environmental and labor rights violations. In addition, many governments offer tax incentives, grants, or subsidies for projects that contribute to sustainability goals, such as renewable energy installations or energy efficiency improvements.

Vehicles for Corporate Sustainable Finance

These vehicles for corporate sustainable finance are designed to support environmental and social objectives while aligning closely with a company’s financial goals. From sustainability-linked debt financing to sustainable investing, each option offers a unique pathway for businesses to contribute positively to global sustainability efforts while pursuing economic growth.

Green bonds

Corporations can issue green bonds to raise funds for new and existing projects with environmental benefits. These bonds are dedicated to financing or refinancing projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable waste management, clean transportation, and water conservation. For example, a company could issue green bonds to finance the construction of solar power plants or to upgrade facilities to reduce carbon emissions.

Social bonds

These bonds direct investor capital toward initiatives designed to improve social and economic outcomes, combining financial returns with tangible social impact. Projects financed by social bonds range from improving healthcare and education access to supporting sustainable agricultural practices. As part of the sustainable finance market, social bonds attract investors keen on contributing to positive social change alongside earning a return on their investment.

Sustainability-linked loans

The interest rate for these loans is tied to the borrower’s achievement of sustainability targets. A corporation might secure a sustainability-linked loan with terms that offer lower interest rates if it meets specific ESG criteria, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions or improving energy efficiency in its operations.

Sustainability-linked bonds

Similar to green bonds, but with a broader focus, sustainability-linked bonds are designed to finance or refinance projects that have a positive impact on the issuer’s sustainability performance. The return on these bonds is often linked to the issuer’s achievement of ambitious, predefined sustainability targets.

Negative screening

This is the process of excluding certain sectors, companies, or practices from a portfolio based on specific ESG criteria. For example, investors might avoid companies involved in fossil fuels, tobacco, or arms manufacturing due to their negative environmental or social impacts.

Positive screening

For this, investors actively select companies or sectors for investment based on positive ESG performance relative to industry peers. This may look like prioritizing companies with strong sustainability practices, renewable energy projects, or exemplary labor relations.

ESG integration

This is the integration of ESG factors into traditional financial analysis and investment decision-making. Investors may analyze a company’s ESG practices alongside financial metrics to identify risks and opportunities not apparent through financial analysis alone.

Thematic investing

This is the practice of focusing investments on specific ESG themes or issues, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, or clean energy.

Impact investing

This strategy involves investing to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Examples include directing capital towards affordable housing, healthcare, education, and other projects with clear social benefits.

Resources and Tools for Sustainable Finance

A wealth of resources and tools are available to guide companies along their sustainable finance journey. These resources can help your business measure ESG performance, identify improvement areas, and communicate progress to stakeholders.

Here are some key platforms and resources to get you started:

Sustainalytics

A global leader in ESG and corporate governance research and ratings, Sustainalytics offers comprehensive insights that help investors and companies integrate ESG factors into their investment strategies and operational decisions. Its services include industry reports, company specific ESG risk assessments, and screening tools to help identify and mitigate potential ESG risks. 

MSCI

Known for its ESG research, MSCI provides critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With a focus on delivering in-depth research, ratings, and analysis of the environmental, social, and governance-related business practices of thousands of companies worldwide, MSCI helps investors build and manage better portfolios. Its tools enable businesses to understand their ESG performance relative to peers and to identify areas for improvement.

ESG data platforms

An ESG data platform is a specialized digital solution designed to collect, analyze, and report on ESG metrics of companies, investments, and projects. These platforms serve as critical tools for investors, corporations, and other stakeholders interested in the sustainability and ethical impact of their investments or operational practices.

Implement Sustainable Finance in Your Business

Integrating sustainable finance into your business operations can be a transformative process. It aligns financial success with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. To get started down this path, it’s vital to examine what sustainable finance means within the context of your business.

Antea Group can help. We use a business-first approach to surface how sustainable finance aligns with your business goals. This helps you identify opportunities where environmental stewardship and social responsibility can drive financial success.

Let Antea Group’s Sustainability Consulting for Corporate Responsibility team help you discover your path to sustainable finance.

“Partnerships like the one between Dow, TNC and Ecolab, focused on bringing solutions to sustainably manage scarce freshwater, are the key to ensuring abundant water and healthy ecosystems.”

– Andre Argenton, chief sustainability officer, Dow

Rivers like the Mississippi are critical corridors that connect cities and natural ecosystems alike. As the climate precipitation patterns change, water levels vary widely between extreme lows and highs. Water quality is also impacted as saltwater slowly moves upriver. These have extraordinary effects on people and nature.

Recognizing the important role industry and conservation organizations play in restoring healthy, functioning ecosystems, we are working with like-minded organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Ecolab to restore and enhance wetlands in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Louisiana.

Called “Loch Leven,” this project is reconnecting flood plains to the Mississippi River by installing improved water control structures to increase water supply to 4500 acres of wetlands. Our team came in during phase 2 of the project to reconnect the internal water flow within those wetlands. This work followed phase 1, which connected the river to the wetlands. This project is part of a larger effort by The Nature Conservancy to restore over 10,000 wetland acres.

Reconnecting a floodplain

Projects like Loch Leven help provide floodwater storage and improve water quality, all pivotal components of watershed management. By holding water and slowly releasing it, the wetlands on Loch Leven remove excess fertilizer runoff from upstream, and, in turn, those nutrients help the wetlands and all that live in it, thrive.

Floodplain restoration projects such as Loch Leven also provide hydrologic stability, meaning that they slow water down, hold it and slowly release it. The Loch Leven project will help provide 12.1 billion gallons (45.8 million cubic meters) of flood storage capacity to local communities in Louisiana.

“As our climate system makes weather events more variable, extreme and uncertain, the stability that nature provides is even more important,” said Bryan Piazza, Director of Science with The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana.

Collaborating for greater impact

The Mississippi Watershed is a water-stressed basin identified by the CEO Water Mandate’s Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) under the U.N. Global Compact. Investing in nature-based solutions like the Loch Leven project is one way to reduce nutrient runoff, restore biodiversity and enhance communities’ ability to adapt to climate change.

“The issue, however, is having the resources needed to work at the speed necessary to meet these threats in the Lower Mississippi Valley,” Piazza said. “There simply isn’t enough public grant money available to do the number of Loch Leven projects that we need in the lower river. That’s why it’s so important to figure out how to attract private investment in our work. Without it, we cannot get to the scale we need to improve water quality and habitat and remove greenhouse gases.”

As founding members of the WRC, companies like Dow and Ecolab are investing beyond their own operations and working collaboratively to enhance water stewardship management at the local watershed level.

“As the world’s natural resources come under ever-growing pressure, it becomes increasingly clear that businesses must work to find ways to help correct course and build a positive future,” said Emilio Tenuta, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Ecolab. “It is critical that businesses reach outside their facilities to work with those who share the same water resources and strive to ensure water availability, quality and access for all.”

For us at Dow, investments in projects such as Loch Leven contribute to the overall improvement of watershed health while advancing sustainable business growth. Everyone – including communities and industry – must play a role to protect our water resources.

“Water is central to our manufacturing process, and safe, accessible water is also essential to the health of the communities in which we operate, critical to ecosystems and integral to economic growth. Partnerships like the one between Dow, TNC and Ecolab, focused on bringing solutions to sustainably manage scarce freshwater, are the key to ensuring abundant water and healthy ecosystems,” said Andre Argenton, chief sustainability officer at Dow.

Carrie Houtman, EH&S and Sustainability Director

Tetra Pak FY2022 Sustainability Report

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) for the U.S. and Canada markets came into laser focus in 2022. Recognizing a need for external expertise, the local steering committee worked with an outside consultant who specializes in actively championing environments where all humans thrive to help guide the team’s long-term DEI journey through four lenses: people, culture, customers and community.

To understand our employees’ lived experiences and desired outcomes related to DEI, we asked all employees for feedback through a series of anonymous surveys, one-on-one discussions and voluntary focus groups. As a result, several key themes were identified and serve as the basis for the market’s three-year roadmap.

One key theme was the need to level set our understanding of DEI across all teams. Several optional virtual learning sessions, including a DEI Foundations course and a “Who Am I?” interactive workshop, were offered to all employees with the ambition of building a common framework of language and tools to better facilitate understanding and discussions of shared humanity.

389 EMPLOYEES participated in the DEI survey

15 ONE-ON-ONE leader interviews were conducted

5 FOCUS GROUPS were conducted, with 52 employees participating in these discussions

Beyond Tetra Pak’s internal efforts, our leaders held discussions around DEI externally. Larine Urbina, Communications Director, Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada, was invited to a panel discussion titled, “The next generation of women leaders are ready to change the face of sustainability. Are you listening?” at the Sustainable Brands ’22 Conference Women’s Leadership Luncheon. Urbina was also featured by AMERIPEN in an article on the role of communications in sustainability.

Jennifer Montgomery, Head of Human Resources Country Services, Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada, represented Tetra Pak in the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Diversity Coalition. She also contributed to an article in Dairy Foods on “Why a DEI strategy is important for dairy processors.” 

Tetra Pak also became a Supporter Member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women of all ages with an interest in engineering and technology. As part of the membership, several of our employees became members of the organization. By joining SWE, we support current and future generations of experts who are working to solve critical and complex challenges, such as food security, that impact all people.

Core Wellbeing

In the U.S. and Canada, Tetra Pak employees can benefit from Core Wellbeing, a program dedicated to helping employees and their loved ones achieve, maintain and protect their personal health and wellbeing goals to protect what’s good for others.

In its third year, Core Wellbeing has reinvigorated the program’s platform with a more interactive and engaging portal for our employees. Every month, Core Wellbeing hosts challenges focused on its five pillars of wellbeing: social, community, financial, physical and mental. The platform connects certain activities with a carbon impact and allows individual employees, sites and the company to measure our collective carbon reductions achieved as a result of these actions throughout the year.

The program is also weaving in the company’s DEI focus as a key part of social and community wellbeing. In November 2022, we shared an employee-sourced cookbook that featured favorite recipes from contributors. The cookbook invited employees to share why the recipe was important to them and where the recipe originated, demonstrating the diverse culture and many nationalities of our U.S. and Canada team.

Promoting Wellbeing in the Community

To promote wellbeing for people in our communities, we donated nearly 18,000 cartons of water to Partners in Hope in Hodgkins, Illinois. Partners in Hope is Illinois’ leading provider of effective psychological and psychiatric services to residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities.

Dallas Marathon

In December 2022, Tetra Pak served as an official sponsor of the BMW Dallas Marathon, Dallas’ largest single-day sporting event and Texas’ oldest running event. Over 26,000 cartons of water with messaging about the sustainability benefits of Tetra Pak ® cartons were given to racers and fans.

Over the weekend, local Tetra Pak employees volunteered to hand out water and engage with attendees at an outdoor water booth in Dallas’s City Hall Plaza. Tetra Pak also hosted a booth at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Employees had the opportunity to participate in a race of their choice and invite a friend or family member to join them. This year, 65 runners joined Team Tetra Pak and ran in either the 5k, 10k, Oncor Kid’s Race, half marathon or full marathon.

Read the full Tetra Pak FY2022 Sustainability Report

Whether you’re looking for that elusive first job or trying to get to the next stage of your career, you tend to look to others for guidance. Once you’re well established, though, you may be in a position to help. The bridge between them? A mentoring program.

Meet Arnold Kintu and his mentors, Tamara Marshall and Vivian Eng.

While working on the production line at our Atlanta-area Cleaning plant, Arnold always had an eye toward advancement, especially as he pursued his bachelor’s degree in marketing. He had taken note of the work ethic of his colleague Tamara, who had previously worked on the line, earning promotions that led to her current role as a fulfillment specialist, based in our Alpharetta, Georgia, office.

Signing up for the Global Mentoring Program, Arnold hoped to be paired with Tamara, whom he viewed as a role model. But she wasn’t so sure, telling him, “I don’t feel qualified.” Yet he was insistent: “No, I heard all about you. Please don’t drop me.”

Tamara ended up contacting her own mentor for advice. “She said, ‘What did I always tell you? Pay it forward.’”

So that’s exactly what Tamara did. She applied the same lessons she learned from her own mentor about starting with a career pyramid and then creating a “board of directors” to help in areas where she didn’t have the expertise.

Enter Vivian, a brand manager based in our Durham, North Carolina, hub, who’s had great mentors who have helped shape her own career path. “I wanted to offer the same type of support that I found to be incredibly helpful,” she said.

Their mentoring relationship flourished, with Arnold soaking up all the marketing knowledge he could from Vivian, even though their connection was entirely virtual.

Arnold’s dedication paid off recently with his promotion to quality lab tech. “The process can be intimidating, but you’ve got to have the audacity to believe in yourself and the humility to ask for help when you need it,” he said. “No one has ever done it by themselves.”

His mentors, who couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments, count themselves among his biggest cheerleaders.

Said Tamara: “I didn’t expect to experience this side of mentoring. When he told me he got the promotion, I was so excited for him. I’m grateful we work in a place where you can build connections, and everyone wants to play a part.”

By Dana Obrist

It has been four years since a global pandemic first shook the foundation of the economy.

Nationwide shutdowns led to disrupted or shuttered businesses small and large. Rebuilding efforts have been strong and often supported by government-funded programs intended to fuel growth and bring jobs back to those hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Though it has been around for more than two decades, the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is integral to the rebuilding efforts. It’s designed to incentivize the private sector to invest in low-income communities.

Post-Pandemic Demand

“The demand for NMTC financing has never been bigger than it is today,” noted Steve Ross, head of the New Markets Tax Credit platform at Regions. “When the program began, it was not very well known, but over the last 20 years it has proven to be a critical tool to help businesses and nonprofits grow.”

Ross said that many of these organizations would not exist today without NMTC financing and, as we look into the future, the way NMTC financing is used continues to expand.

“NMTCs can finance real estate, equipment and working capital, and can be used on a variety of asset types, including for-sale housing, mixed-use real estate, manufacturing facilities, schools, hospitals and so much more. Its flexibility is part of what makes it such a valuable financial product,” Ross said.

Rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a rocky labor market in the wake of the pandemic impacted businesses across various industries and geographies. Jobs were adversely impacted and in communities already facing higher rates of poverty, business closings and job loss reverberated through these already microeconomies.

Rising interest rates intended to cool rising inflation ushered in new challenges for some businesses.

“What has happened in the wake of rising interest rates is projects that wouldn’t normally need NMTC financing have started to look for that type of subsidy,” said Ross.

Many economists predict a few decreases in the Federal Funds rates in 2024, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the demand for NMTCs will decrease, according to Ross.

“I anticipate demand increasing as rates drop, opening up opportunities for more typical NMTC borrowers, who may have slowed activity in the higher-rate environment, to begin investing in growth again,” he shared. “Many for-profit businesses chose not to move forward with planned expansions during the pandemic, but others did not have a choice – they had to invest to survive or to meet client needs.”

I anticipate demand increasing as rates drop, opening up opportunities for more typical new markets tax credit borrowers.

Steve Ross, head of Regions’ New Markets Tax Credit platform

New Markets Tax Credit: Attractive Financing for Nonprofits

Demand for NMTCs is also increasing among not-for-profit businesses, where fundraising efforts have become more challenging in the post-pandemic economy.

“In talking with our government and institutional bankers and not-for-profit clients, raising money is hard, particularly for mission-driven entities that rely on campaign fundraising and are not in the business of building up cash surpluses,” noted Ross. “We’ve seen significant challenges in fundraising from those clients and NMTC investments can be an attractive alternative for funding.

“Most non-profit organizations did not have the luxury to simply hold on to cash until the economic climate was more stable,” Ross noted. “They had to make investments to provide the critical services their communities need, but often traditional funding sources were unavailable, with so much subsidy being targeted toward pandemic relief.”

With uncertainty around so many aspects of business during the height of the pandemic, Ross noted that the addition of the NMTC subsidy created more financial stability, and often was the only thing that allowed projects to come to fruition.

North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. Expansion to Increase Capacity

Nestled in the quaint north Florida community dubbed one of the “Best Little Towns in Florida” by VISIT Florida, the city of Madison is home to one of North Florida Medical Centers, Inc.’s 10 locations. The only nonprofit community health center providing a full range of comprehensive medical, dental and enabling services within the 10-county service area within the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, the Madison location saw approximately 1,800 patients in 2022.

The patient mix at the Madison location is 36 percent Medicaid, 33 percent Medicare, 21 percent commercial and 10 percent uninsured, so the ability to expand its capabilities is important to this community.

“Regions is excited to be part of the team investing in North Florida Medical Centers, Inc.’s development of a new 11,400-square foot facility that will provide medical, dental and behavioral health services, increasing their capacity to serve Madison County and surrounding areas,” said Ross.

North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. is leveraging federal grants, internal resources and new markets tax credit investments to finance the construction of the new facility.

“We are fortunate to collaborate with Regions with our Madison Medical Construction,” said Lane Lunn, CEO of North Florida Medical Centers, Inc. “By utilizing Regions New Markets Tax Credit investments, NFMC will be equipped to serve more patients with quality medical care. The larger new facility will enable us to serve more patients with a variety of services.”

By utilizing Regions New Markets Tax Credit investments, NFMC will be equipped to serve more patients with quality medical care.

Lane Lunn, CEO of North Florida Medical Centers, Inc.

Cultivate Food Rescue’s New Indiana Facility Fights Food Insecurity

NMTC investments are helping create jobs and tackle food insecurity in South Bend, Indiana.

“Cultivate Food Rescue is an innovative nonprofit dedicated to preserving and distributing perishable food that would otherwise be bound for landfills to the most vulnerable citizens who face food insecurity,” noted Heidi Leonard, Regions Government and Institutional banker in Indiana. “The NMTC product is a great way for nonprofits to offset their overall interest cost with an equity investment and helps our bankers in these communities do more good.”

Regions is part of the financial team that helped Cultivate secure the capital to construct a new 21,000-square foot facility that can store and supply up to 20 million pounds of food a year and serve 16 million meals a year.

“A $10+ million capital campaign is ambitious,” said Jim Conklin, executive director at Cultivate Foods. “As we observe the trends in food waste and hunger in our three-county area, however, we are confident in our plans. Diversifying sources of funds is integral in a campaign of this size. New Markets Tax Credits were an important part of this investment.”

Originally published by Yum! Brands

At Yum!, we have a Recipe for Good Growth, which centers on doing right by our people, food and the planet. It’s something that we’ve continuously improved upon year after year and is the focus of our latest “Quick Bite,” a video series that documents Yum! news in about a minute’s time.

Watch and learn how the world’s largest restaurant company is committed to doing good.

Small businesses serve as the economic engine of the U.S. There are 33.2 million small businesses in the country, which account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. Yet, these businesses often struggle in the aftermath of disasters and how to prepare for the next one.

Developed in partnership with FedEx, the Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to support small businesses impacted by disasters. The program guides any interested small business in preparing for a disaster, and then offers quick-turn relief funding of $5,000 for those prepared businesses after a federal disaster declaration is made in their region.

To date, the R4R program—with additional support from Allstate—has helped prepare nearly 3,000 businesses for the next disaster and distributed $5,000 grants to 51 businesses across the country. Grantees report using the funds on crucial expenses such as building their customer base, paying employee salaries, and repairing damaged or lost inventory.

Click here to read the 2023 R4R Impact Report.

Post provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

In January 2024, Viatris was notified that its Aurangabad, India, facility has received certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) for meeting a new industry standard on Minimized Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The standard was facilitated by BSI for the AMR Industry Alliance, an organization made up of over 100 companies and associations from across the life-sciences industry with the shared goal of providing sustainable solutions to curb AMR. The certification is designed to encourage drug manufacturers and those in the supply chain to prioritize the sustainable production of antibiotics.

“We are proud to be the first pharmaceutical site in India to achieve this important Minimized Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance certification from BSI, demonstrating our commitment to controlling antibiotic discharge,” said Sanjeev Sethi, Chief Operations Officer, Viatris. “Many thanks to our cross-functional team members for continuing to implement sustainable systems and processes that advance the responsible manufacturing of antibiotics.”

“Viatris having gained independent certification, and the first to do so in India, is a reflection of their leadership and commitment to tackling global AMR,” said Steve Brooks, Advisor and Manufacturing Work Group Lead, AMR Industry Alliance. “From their initial days with the Alliance, Viatris has been a key contributor to achieving greater results in our shared goal of providing sustainable solutions to curb AMR while being responsible stewards of the environment.”

AMR is recognized around the world as a significant threat to global health and economic development and is a major driver of death globally. Recent research shows that in 2019, more than 1.2 million people are estimated to have died directly from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. By 2050, it is estimated that AMR will cause more deaths than cancer unless concerted efforts are undertaken to counter its progression.1

Viatris’ Commitment to Combatting AMR

Viatris remains committed to doing its part to address AMR by advancing access, stewardship and responsible manufacturing. Access to a wide array of high-quality antimicrobials and timely treatment are key in mitigating the rise of AMR. The company currently has approximately 90 antimicrobials in its global portfolio, including antibiotics that can be valuable in treating resistant bacteria. As a founding member of the AMR Industry Alliance (AMRIA), Viatris is committed to partnering across the industry to collectively advance initiatives addressing AMR.

1 The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance – White Paper, 2014

With more project owners setting sustainability goals for large construction projects, some companies are looking for ways to shrink the carbon footprint of their operations, including by curbing construction equipment emissions. Since most construction equipment currently used on jobsites runs on fossil fuel, it’s a big goal, and figuring out where to start isn’t always easy.

The United Rentals white paper Roadmap to Low-Emission and Zero-Emission Jobsites outlines a data-based strategy contractors can follow to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their owned and rented equipment.

In the white paper, sustainability managers and fleet managers will find a practical, four-step approach to reducing construction equipment emissions incrementally over time without sacrificing productivity or destroying profit margins. Below is a peek at some of the topics covered.

Getting the biggest bang for your buck

Reducing emissions doesn’t require replacing an entire fleet with lower-emission or zero-emission construction equipment. To make the biggest impact while staying within budget, companies can start by identifying the equipment that produces the most emissions on their jobsites.

Tracking estimated equipment emissions reveals which equipment is generating the lion’s share of carbon emissions, and it’s possible through the Estimated Emissions dashboard in Total Control®, the United Rentals cloud-based worksite management platform.

Once the biggest GHG producers have been identified, whether it’s forklifts, telehandlers or generators, companies can focus on identifying more sustainable ways to operate and more sustainable equipment to rent or own.

Exploring power generation alternatives 

Diesel generators typically provide most of the power on off-grid jobsites, but diesel is one of the least clean-burning fuels. Thanks to a new generation of portable power generation equipment, contractors now have a multitude of potential alternatives.

Depending on the application, options may include propane, natural gas and hydrogen generators, stand-alone batteries and portable solar arrays. Some of this equipment can be paired with a battery energy storage system (BESS) to further reduce GHG emissions. One hybrid power solution developed in conjunction with United Rentals provides enough power to act as self-contained, low-emission microgrid.

Embracing electric and hybrid equipment

Electric equipment is one of the cornerstones of the low-emission jobsite. As it becomes more widely available, it’s becoming more popular.

The electric construction equipment manufacturers are producing today performs on par with traditionally fueled equipment. Electric category classes now go beyond small electric units such as warehouse forklifts and scissor lifts to larger, heavier equipment categories such as mini excavators and compact telehandlers. A higher upfront expense is partially offset by lower operating costs and significantly reduced maintenance needs.

For contractors who want the power of an even larger diesel machine and the ability to operate indoors, hybrid equipment is another option.

A low-emission jobsite isn’t a pie-in-the-sky idea. Reducing construction equipment emissions is possible with equipment available today, and companies don’t have to break their budget to move the needle. The Roadmap to Low-Emission and Zero-Emission Jobsites white paper helps managers focus their efforts, and dollars, on changes that will yield the biggest results and highlights some of the cutting-edge equipment enabling this critical shift.

Download the white paper Roadmap to Low-Emission and Zero-Emission Jobsites now.